Review: a boy and his blob

 

The original "A Boy and His Blob" for the NES is a game that many from my generation remember fondly. Every time I mentioned the Wii version to friends I almost always got the "Oh yeah! I remember that from Nintendo. You had jellybeans, right?" The original game certainly left an impression on those who played it, likely because of it's unique concept. But 20 years later...would it be possible for developer WayForward to successfully resurrect such a unique IP? 

Story

There isn't much to the tale of a boy and his blob, Blob (that's his name) crash lands on Earth and meets the boy and they set out to rescue each of their planets from the mysteriously evil black goo that has taken over. From a classic storytelling perspective, there isn't much to chew on. There's no real motivation to overcome these baddies, you're given no exposition as to why the black goo are there, there is no character development or internal struggle or anything that would make a good book or movie story. But that's why it's a great game story. 

 

Hugs.

Reminiscent of movies like Where the Wild Things Are you get the sense that everything you're seeing is in the boy's imagination. By extension, so should the player be encouraged to let their own imaginations take over for a while. The developers give you just enough to go on to form your own conclusions. Based on the way the boy calls for his blob when he's lost and the way he praises or scolds him, there is clearly a strong bond between the boy and his blobby buddy. And while it's harder to get the motivation to finish a story based primarily in your own head, I appreciate the subtle cues and touches the developers used to give us some sort of story to think about.

Gameplay

a boy and his blob is broken up into four distinctly flavored worlds with ten to twelve levels in each. Each level is linear and your goal in each is to reach a gold jellybean to end the level. As a side quest, you can also seek out three treasure chests hidden in each level - and finding all three will open up a bonus level.  But it's the way you get through each level that really makes this game sing. 

The main mechanic behind the game is based on using different jellybeans to transform your blob into various tools and altered forms and using these to traverse the game's environment. Things as simple as a ladder or a trampoline, to things as complex as a cannon or even a doppelganger of the boy himself. In the earlier levels you're usually given clues as to which form you should choose for your blob, but later in the game you're left on your own to figure out the proper jellybean to feed him. Even when you're given the clue though, the environmental puzzles can be real noodle scratchers every once in a while. It's never so hard that you're sitting there for hours with no idea as to what to do, nor will you likely have to consult a guide to get you through. It's just hard enough to figure out on your own and you will certainly feel smart for doing so.

 

Trampoline

However, there are a few gripes I had with the game. For one, you have the option of using either the nunchuck or classic controller, but your only option for movement is the analog stick. In a 2D side scroller the analog stick is imprecise and can often send you off a ledge when you meant to look down. The other issue I had was the death system. Death in games is becoming passe these days, simply because its pointless. Especially in a boy and his blob where dying means only restarting exactly where you died. So why not implement some sort of creative way to retry? Like instead of falling in a pit, dying, hearing the death music, fading to black, loading, fading up and trying again - why not just make it so if you fall in a pit blob throws you back to the last check point. This becomes particularly frustrating in tight sections with enemies. The boy can only sustain one hit and then he's dead. So you end up doing a lot of trial and error from time to time which can lead to boredom and frustration pretty quickly.

All in all though, the gripes don't even hold a candle to the great overall experience this game gives you. The gameplay is slow and methodical, so action junkies need not apply, but if you're the type of person who can really dig into a game and spend some time and patience with it, you will absolutely love it.

Presentation

Another very strong aspect of the game is it's fantastic presentation. WayForward took what they were given with the underpowered Wii hardware and made this little game shine. Rich, bright colors pop each level, unique lighting effects deliver "wow" moments, characters and enemies animate fluidly and the characters and levels clearly had a lot of TLC put into their design. The coolest thing for me was the way that Blob transformed from shape to shape. It really sold the idea that he was a liquid being in the way each form took its shape gradually and really showed you each frame of the transformation. There were also great little details the designers included - I'll give one example. One of the forms is a giant bubble which the boy can actually climb in. This is usually used to shoot through half pipes in the level, so the boy inside is spinning and flipping everywhere. When you call for Blob to turn back to his normal state, the boy kind of wobbles when he steps out like he's getting his land-legs back. 

 

The beautifully strange world of Blobonia 

The music and sound design are fantastic too. Each world had its own themed music and they all complemented the levels perfectly. Music cues rose and fell at the right times, and the little voice acting that was present was appropriate and well played. Other little details with the sound design again made it stand out. For example, when you and your blob get separated, Blob turns into a balloon to get back to you. When he finally reaches you, he deflates into his regular form, but with the all-too-recognizable sound of air flopping out of a balloon.

Stuff I loved: 

• Unique gameplay with strong level design
• Perfectly balanced puzzles that are just hard enough to figure out on your own
• Dazzling art and sound design really sold the experience

Stuff I hated:

• Analog controls
• Old school death mechanics
• Slow pacing

I love this game. I will very likely play it again when I'm done with my adventure. Like I said, it's not for everyone, but even if you don't think it's for you, take a chance on it. It's so wonderfully charming I would be surprised if it didn't immediately grow on you.

Review in Ten Words or Less:
A slow, charming experience that sparks imagination.


Buy "a boy and his blob"